ABS-CBN boss: We’ll be forced to release list of dismissed workers soon

MANILA, Philippines — A list of workers who will be relieved from their jobs amid ABS-CBN’s shutdown will be released in a few weeks, network president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak bared in a congressional inquiry Tuesday.

During the joint committee hearing of the House committee on legislative franchises and committee on good government and public accountability, Katigbak said they are not trying to get pity but they are merely appealing for the welfare of the 11,000 workers who might lose their jobs.

“We want to do everything we can to protect our employees pero may hangganan din ang kakayahan ng kumpanya naming (but out company also has limits). Habang wala kami sa ere, palaki ng palaki ang nalulugi sa amin (While we are not on the air, our losses swell),” Katigbak told lawmakers.

“At sa mga darating na linggo, mapipilitan na kaming maglabas ng listahan ng mga empleyadong mawawalan ng trabaho. Sana makita ng Kongreso na nasa kapangyarihan ninyo ang kinabukasan nila,” he added.

(In the coming weeks, we will be forced to release the list of employees who will be dismissed. Hopefully, Congress will see that their future depends on your power.)

Earlier, Katigbak disclosed in a Senate hearing that they might start to reduce the number of their employees by August if ABS-CBN Corp. fails to get a new or provisional franchise.

“May nagsasabi sa social media na nagpapa-awa lang daw kami. Sana makausap ninyo ang isang nanay o tatay na mawawalan ng hanapbuhay,” Katigbak said.

(There are those saying on social media that were are just trying to get pity. I hope you can talk to a mother or father who will lose their job.)

“Sana po maramdaman ninyo ang takot nila, kapag iniisip nila kung paano nila bubuhayin at papakainin ang kanilang pamilya. Sana po pakinggan ninyo ang boses ng aming mga ‘Kapamilya’,” he added.

(I hope you will feel their fear, whenever they would think about how they will be able to raise or feed their family. I hope you will listen to the voice of our ‘kapamilya’.)

On May 5, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN, directing the network to stop its broadcast operations after its franchise expired on May 4.

The 11 bills seeking the renewal of franchise of ABS-CBN remain pending before the House committee on legislative franchises, the earliest of which, at least in the 18th Congress, was filed in July 2019.

Another bill seeking a new franchise for ABS-CBN was filed by Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

KGA

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